Multiple-expansion rotary engine.



No; 718,725. PATENTED- JAN. 20, 1903. H. PEARSE & E. F. IEVERS. MULTIPLE EXPANSION ROTARY ENGINE.

i. .J SEEETS-SHEET 1..

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 21, 1901.

I0 MODEL.

No. 718,725. PATENTED JAN. 20, 1903.

H. PEARSE & E. F. IEVERS. I

MULTIPLE EXPANSION ROTARY ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 21, 1901.

M MODEL. 5 SHEETS-SHEET a.

My N.

V prnh PATENTED JAN. 20, 1903.

HIVPEARSE & E. P. IEVERS. MULTIPLE EXPANSION ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 21, 1901.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I0 MODEL.

W/TA/ESSES No. 718,725. PATENTED JAN. 20, 1903. H. PEARSE & E. F. IEVERS.

\ MULTIPLE EXPANSION ROTARY ENGINE.

- APPLICATION FILED AUG. 21, 1961 N0 MODEL. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

W/ T/VEJ'SES'. m/wsw TOR-S My 74% x f/v/ No. 718,725. PATENTED JAN. 20, 1903.

H. PEARSE & E. F. IEVERS. I MULTIPLE EXPANSION ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 21, 1901. no MODEL. 5 8HEETSSHEET 5.

Urrsn TATES ArnNr OFFICE.

HARRY PEARSE AND EYRE FRANCIS IEVERS, OF BUENOS AIRES, ARGEN- TINA, ASSIGNORS TO THE FRANCIS EYRE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

M ULTlPLE EXPANSION ROTARY ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 718,725, dated January 20, 1903.

Application filed August 21, 1901. Serial No. 72,806. (No model.)

To all whom it'mcty concern! the application of a Dvalve for use in re- Be it known that we, HARRY PEARSE and versing the engine. Figs. 13 and 14. are re- EYRE FRANCIS IEVERS, citizens of Argentina, spectively a longitudinal and a horizontal residing at Las Barrancas, (Jampana, Buenos section of a modified form of engine. 55 Aires, Argentina, have invented new and For the purpose of the present description useful Improvements in Multiple-Expansion it is assumed that the engine has four sets Rotary Engines, (in respect whereof we have of pillows arranged, respectively, in four caused applications for patents to be made chambers or cylinders, the steam or other in Great Britain, to bear date April 4, 1901, motive fluid being exhausted from the first 6o No. 7,191; in France, to bear date April 13, or high-pressure cylinder into the second, 1901, No. 298,397, and in Germany, to hear from thence into the third, and so into the date April 12, 1901,) of which-the following fourth or low-pressure cylinder. is a specification. According to the construction illustrated This invention relates to multiple-expanin Figs. 1 to 11, inclusive, the engine com- 65 sion rotary engines of thetype wherein two prises a bipart casing A, bolted together, as sets of rotators or pillows are mounted shown at a, andprovided with end plates or upon shafts arranged parallel to each other covers A A the joints between the parts of in a casing in such a manner that the pillows the casing being rendered-steam-tight by any upon the one shaft enter the rotary path of suitable means. In transverse section the 70 the alined pillows pertaining to the other form of the casing approximates that which shaft and are exposed to steam or other fluid would result from uniting two parallel holpressure whereby their rotation in opposite low cylinders. The interior of the casing is directions is effected, the objects of the presfurnished with transverse partitions b b c c 0, cut improvements being to simplify the conthe casing thus comprising end chambers d d, 75 struction of such engines and to secure a and intermediate chambers or cylinders e e higher degree of efficiency. e 6 Within the latter chambers and fast Arotary engine of the type referred to and upon shafts F F are mounted two sets of embodyingthe presentimprovements is illuspillows f f,f f ,f f ,f f so arranged trated in the accompanying drawings, whereupon the respective shafts that each set 00- 80 of operates with the adjoining set. The shafts Figure 1 is a view, partly in longitudinal F F are carried in bearings housed in cassection on the line x or in Fig. 2 and partly ings a a, formed on the respective end in elevation, Fig.2 being an end elevation, plates A A One of the shafts F constiand Fig. 3 a plan view, part of the upper tutes the driving-shaft and extends outward 85 half of the casing being removed to show the through a stuffing-box a at one end of the internal arrangement and one of the bearcasing A and is provided with a driving-puling-chambers being in horizontal section. leyfor other means for transmitting power. Fig. 4 is a detached View of the two sets of A plumber-block bearing f supports the pillows and their respective shafts, Fig. 5 outer extremity of the driving-shaft, while 0 0 being a corresponding end view. Figs. 6 the opposite end thereof, as also the ends of and 7 are respectively a face View and a the shaft F terminate within the casings side View of the means employed for coupling a a. Each pillow f f f f is preferably the pillow-shafts. Fig. 8 is a View, drawn constructed as shown in Figs. Sand 9, a ring to a larger scale, partly in section and partly. or strip g being inserted in a recess formed 5 5 in elevation, and Fig. 9 a similar view at foritsreceptionuponeachface,thesaidstrips right angles thereto, showing the construcsecuring the pillow steam-tight between the tion of the pillows, whereby their working transverse partitions by means of springs 9. surfaces are rendered steam-tight. Figs. 10 The diametrically opposite extremities of and 11 are transverse sections taken on the each pillow are furnished each with a pack- [00 lines y y and z .2, respectively, in Fig. 1. ing G, whereby steam-tight contact is made Fig. 12 is a transverse section illustrating with the inner surface of the casing A and with the cooperating pillow. Each packing G may be formed of two strips g g fitted in a dovetail or undercut recess g in such a manner as to be capable of radial movement in relation to the shaft F or F A bar 9 of triangular form in transverse section enters between the strips and serves to force the latter outward by means of springs g Instead of the packing G being arranged in the manner shown the object may be accomplished by means of a fixed packing-strip or of a packing of any other desired construction.

The ends of the shaft F rotate in bearings h h, arranged in the chambers a, and whereof the effective pressure may be adjusted by means of springs h h and set-screws 712 72?. The object of these adjustable bearings is to insure steam-tight rolling contact between the contiguous pillows on the respective shafts F F and to equalize wear.

Each of the pillows ff f f is arranged on its shaft F or F in such a manner that its longer diameter is at an angle of ninety degrees to that of the immediately preceding or succeeding pillow on the same shaft.

On each of the shafts F F are arranged two sets of disks LI i t and t i 73", adapted to rotate in the before-mentioned end chambers d d, the former set on the one shaft gearing with the latter set pertaining to the other shaft. The disks and i of each respective set are of circular formation and mounted concentrically upon the shaft F or F the diameter of each disk being equal to the distance between the axes of the shafts F F, so that they remain in constant rolling contact with each other and maintain the shafts F F at the correct distance apart. The disks t" i i i have the same peripheral shape as the pillows ff f f and are preferably arranged with their longer diameters at angles of thirty degrees and sixty degrees in relation to the corresponding diameters of the pillows, with the efieet that they do not coincide with each other or with the pillows. These disks i", 2' 2' i i and i, like the pillows f f rotate in contact with each other and serve to couple the shafts F F after the manner of ordinary spur-gearing, but with considerably less friction.

The several partitions b and c are divided like the casing A, the latter being provided with recesses for their reception,and each partition is adapted for the passage and rotation of the shafts F F The partitions c c c are provided with passages c c 0 which establish communication between the exhaust-port c, 0 or c of the one cylinder and the admission-port c 0 or c of the next succeeding cylinder.

Upon opening a valve J steam or other motive fluid is admitted into the chamber orcylinder e through the port j, and operates to rotate the pillows f f therein in opposite directions, as indicated by the arrows. When the pillows f have turned through one hundred and eighty degrees, the steam leaves the chamber 0 by way of the port 0, and passing through the passage 0, gains access to the port 0 and from thence to the chamber or cylinder 6 This latter chamber is longer than the chamber 6, so that the steam is subject to an expansive action therein during a quarter of a revolution and is deprived of some of its initial pressure. After operating the pillows f f this fluid leaves the cylinder 6 by way of the port 0 and passage 0 and enters the chamber 6 by way of the port 0 further expansion taking place in this latter chamber. By way of the exhaust-port c, passage c and inlet-port 0 the steam now enters the cylinder e wherein it is still further, expanded and from whence, after operating the pillows f f it escapes through the exhaust j into the atmosphere, or it may be conducted to a condenser, as desired.

When starting, especially if the engine be under load, it maybe expedient to admit the high-pressure steam to one or other, or both, of the chambers e e. For this purpose these latter chambers are in communication with the steam-supply by means of pipes 76, these pipes being fitted with non-return valves, such as 7c. This auxiliary steam-supply is shut off immediately the engine has commenced to revolve, and in order to prevent the steam so admitted gaining access to the under side of the pillowsf f the passages c c are provided with valves Z, which operate automatically to admit the auxiliary steamsupply and to allow of the working of the engine under ordinary conditions.

The engine is provided with an expansionvalve m of the double-balanced type, which is opened and closed four times at each rotation of the driving-shaft F. The valve-rod is pivoted to one end of a lever on, formed with a quadrantal slot m wherein works a stud m carried by the link m This link m is pivoted to a spring-controlled lever m. A rocking shaft m connected with the lever m is operated by the arm on and double cam m the latter being secured to the drivingshaft F. At about midway of its length the link m is connected with one end of a link m whereof the other end is pivoted to a bell crank lever m in connection with the governor M. When the speed of the engine varies, the governor M causes the stud m pertaining to the link m to move nearer to or farther from the pivot m of the lever m,with

the effect that the degree of opening of the valve m is varied.

Instead of employing spring-pressed packings g, as above described, on the several pillows the steam may itself be employed to provide or assist in providing the necessary steamtight contact between the pillows and the partitions b and 0. According to one mode of carrying out this method of working (illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14) the partitions are arranged so as to be capable of lateral expan- Each partition is formed as two plates sion.

or disks 0 0, held apart by interposed springs 0 One of the plates 0 or o of each partition has a small port 0 for the admission of steam between the plates, the pressure of the steam forcing the plates outward, so that their exteriorsurfaces make steam-tight contact with the contiguous faces of the pillows. -The outer plates pertaining to the partitions b may fit in annular recesses in the wall of the casing A. The modification of the passages 0', c and c rendered necessary by the use of partitions with lateral expanding sideswillbeclearlyunderstood upon reference to the drawings, Figs. 13 and 14, and do not require any detailed description.

In the operation of the engine, the pillows ff being arranged at ninety degrees to the pillows f f it follows that when the steam is exhausted from the chamber 6 it enters the chamber e at the moment when the smallest space between the pillows f f is presented for its occupation. During a quarter of a revolution of the pillows this space gradually increases, with the result that the full effect of the steam-pressure is obtained. As the pillows uncover the outlets c c c of their respective chambers at the completion of each quarter of a revolution the steam is exhausted to an engine of the non-reversing type, it will be apparentthat by providing the engine with D-valves, such as shown at n, Fig. 12, it may be rendered reversible.

0 is the exhaust-port.

What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A rotary engine comprising a casing, two

parallel shafts, and cooperating pillows thereon to be acted upon by the motive agent, and hollow walls dividing said casing into separate chambers, one for each set of pillows, said partitions having ports and channels for conducting the motive agent from one chamber to another, substantially as set forth.

2. In a rotary engine, a casing A having chambers for the reception of pillows of various dimensions, shafts F and F disks 1', i 11 '5 i 1' keyed upon respective shafts, as shown; the disks pertaining to the one shaft working correlatively and in contact with those pertaining to the other shaft, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

' 3. A rotary engine comprising a bipart casing formed with several chambers each furnished with pillows and having a dividingwall adapted for conducting the motive agent, and having the herein-described means for use in starting the engine, same comprising a non-return valve in communication with the supply-pipe for the motive agent and a valve arranged in the dividing-wall, substantially as specified.

at. The combination, with a rotary engine comprising a bipart casing formed with several chambers,each furnished with a set of pillows arranged between dividing-walls formed with passages and ports for conducting the motive agent, of an expansion-valve, means for operating said valve uniformly, a governor, means for operating the latter, and intermediate means whereby the governor controls the said expansion-valve.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HARRY PEARSE. EYRE FRANCIS IEVERS.

Witnesses:

M. MILLER, D. MAYER. 

